By Andy Costello
Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks conducted their April initiation of new members. New Elks residing in Mission Viejo are Holly Holder, Bruce George, Martin Fox, Sherry and Mickey Sharp, Joshua Lien, John Workman, and Helene Adams. Also joining are Noreen Reymeyer of Dana Point, and Stacey Christie of Laguna Niguel. Exalted Ruler (ER) Jamie Camunas and her corps of officers conducted the initiation ritual.
ER Camunas announced the Lodge’s kick-off of the Antler’s Program. The newest program in Elkdom is actually an old one! It is the Junior Elks Program called “the Antlers.” It is a chance for young people in our community to get involved with the Elks in the many service-related projects the Lodge sponsors. The program was initially organized in the late 1930’s and went well for several years as an active arm of the Elks. However, by the 1960’s interest in the program had waned and was ended. Recently, many Lodges have restarted the program with great success.
The Antlers of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America has as its major objective the following:
– To quicken the spirit of American Patriotism
– To teach respect for parents and love of home
– To inculcate the fundamentals of good citizenship
– To aid in a worthy cause
– To establish a foundation of character
– To promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members
– And to recognize that it is true Americanism to respect the conviction of others in the matters of worship and religion
Membership in the Antlers Program is open to any individual who has passed their twelfth and not yet reached their twenty-first birthday, who is a citizen of the United States of America, of good character and who believes in the existence of God. The first monthly Antler’s meeting will be held in June at the Elks Lodge. Apply at the Lodge located at 25092 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo by May 27th to be a charter member. The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-nine (49) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of eight lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 150 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”